There is a tendency to believe these days that we have conquered nature and that the world has been pacified. Sure, we get the occasional hurricane, but overall, we feel secure. There’s no longer a wild, untamed west. There are no longer undiscovered, dangerous corners of Africa and South America. The dangers of centuries before are now just for books and movies. We feel, in some sense, absolutely safe.

Which is, when stated so bluntly, completely absurd. Of course, the world is safer than it was. Yes, there are no unmapped corners of the world, and fewer things in nature kill us, but plenty of people still die from nature all the time.

Even in that completely tamed west, there are still regular occurrences of mountain lions and grizzly bears forgetting what century this is and mauling someone. Illnesses like malaria still run rampant in the tropical ring of the world and kill lots of people, even if we don’t experience them here anymore.

Yet, we still continue to assume the world is completely safe for us like it is all within the confines of a zoo.

Take, for instance, fishing. When the word comes up, an image pops into most minds of a nice old man taking his grandkids out in a little boat onto a lake for a quiet day with a line in the water. Or else, an old man perched on a dock, equally quiet and placid.

Such old men exist, of course, and such events happen all the time, yet fishing as an industry is still incredibly dangerous. In 2006, CNN included fishing as one of the most dangerous careers in America. According to the CDC, there were more than 500 deaths in the fishing industry between 2000 and 2009.

Deaths aside, plenty of offshore accidents still occur that may not be deadly but can still be serious.

Such risk, and yet, all we consider is how rubbery the fish is when it reaches our plate.

This situation emphasizes the gap between the reality of nature and how we perceive it. In reality, nature is perhaps not as deadly as it once was but still a great threat to many people every day. Yet, we perceive it as friendly, as placid, as completely tamed.

We forget that there are still storms at sea that can tip over boats. We forget that there are still wild animals in our parks that are not just there for photo opportunities but can harm us.

We forget these things at our own peril because forgetting them means we are not prepared when disasters do strike. While we may not all be fishermen, and we may not all live near dangerous wild animals, the lack of preparation for those occasional hurricanes shows how little people think about how dangerous nature still is. Give it enough time, and nature will strike with just as much devastation as ever. We do ourselves a disservice by pretending the world is any different than it has always been.

Driving is a large responsibility that many people do not take seriously. We become complacent with this task that many of us must do each day, which leads us to become less attentive and more willing to multitask while on the road. However, when drivers do not pay attention or engage in dangerous behaviors, their vehicle becomes a four thousand pound weapon careening down the road at high speeds. One of the most dangerous kinds of reckless driving involves driving while intoxicated, which slows reaction time and limits attention. Intoxicated driving causes thousands of accidents each year that cause numerous injuries and even deaths. Despite increased awareness of the dangers of intoxicated driving, many people still engage in this dangerous behavior. Providence Journal reported on a recent event, in which police were in pursuit of an intoxicated driver.

At 11:35 on August 4th, 2017, the Cranston police department chased a black sedan down Route 95, attempting to stop the reckless driver. A police officer noticed the car’s strange behavior, such as swerving and other unsafe maneuvers, and attempted to stop the vehicle. However, the driver made many attempts to avoid the police, hitting a police car as they attempted to flee the scene. When the car turned onto Route 95, the police called for trooper back-up, as they realized this event was quickly turning into a car chase. The officers and troopers chased the car until the sedan’s driver lost control of the vehicle and hit a median on the road. The driver and passenger were taken to the hospital for their injuries from the crash; however, police reported that neither person was facing life-threatening injuries. Upon inspecting the car, police officers found a loaded handgun and crack cocaine. The drivers have been charged with several felonies, and among them is intoxicated driving.

Although this event ended with few injuries, the circumstances could have been much more severe. Thankfully, a police officer noticed this vehicle and took steps to stop it, but the police are not always present when dangerous driving occurs. Had the driver not been stopped, they may have seriously injured another driver on the road or pedestrian crossing the street. Although this is an extreme case of intoxicated driving, it is indicative of the bigger problem that is facing the nation. Many drivers do not consider the impact that their actions may have on other people, and this increases the risk for all other drivers on the road.

While this intoxicated driver injured no one but himself and his passenger, this is rarely the case when intoxicated driving accidents occur. A collision with a drunk driver can cause serious physical, emotional, and financial damage for any other drivers involved. Fortunately, for those harmed by intoxicated drivers, a Providence personal injury lawyer can help repair some of these damages. With the help of an attorney, victims can receive financial compensation for their losses and recover from a devastating accident.

Even though cosmetic surgery typically just enhances physical appearance, it cannot be denied that it may also have positive effects on the emotional, psychological, and overall well-being of a person. Cosmetic surgery has the capability of boosting self-confidence and self-worth, resulting into more positive energies and generally happier life outlooks. But there is one thing you need to know about cosmetic surgery – some people get it not for the vanity, but for something deeper.

Breast

A woman’s breasts do not completely define her, but it can be argued that breasts play a big role in femininity, and that is why a lot of women undergo cosmetic surgery in their chests.

However, it is also important to note that this is not always about vanity. According to the website of Bergman & Folkers Plastic Surgery, breast surgery can also include those that want to restructure their breasts after mastectomy. So, it can be said that breast surgery is not just about enhancing, but also normalizing breasts that have become victims of cancer.

Nose

The nose is one of the first things you notice in a person, and this creates the pressure of having a nose that is not very prominent, but complements the entire face. This is where cosmetic surgery comes in, wherein noses that are too prominent and not so much are restructured in a way that normalizes their prominence levels.

But like breast surgery, nose jobs can also be done not out of vanity, but just to fix broken noses after accidents or medical conditions like a deviated septum.

Teeth

There is nothing more attractive than a person who has perfect teeth and a genial smile. Of course, good dental health will always be the best way to achieve those things, but for those who are out of luck, there is always cosmetic surgery.

Again, like breast surgery, cosmetic dentistry is not just about vanity. It can also be about dental health. The website of Babylon Dental Care enumerates procedures that can fix dental problems, make teeth healthier, and smiles better – all at the same time.

So, if a person undergoes cosmetic surgery, don’ be quick to judge that this person is just vain, as he or she may be doing it for his or her health as well.

How Assets, Properties and Debts may be Distributed during Divorce

Division of properties, assets and debts during divorce can be very contentious as each spouse will naturally fight for what they hold to be personally theirs, as well as make a claim on what can be considered marital property. To make sure that personally owned properties (those acquired prior to marriage) and money earned through the sale of these will be protected in the event of divorce, many marriage counselors and financial experts advise those planning to marry to give pre-nuptial or pre-marital agreement a thought. Though not wishing that couples should divorce each other later, counselors and experts say that a pre-nuptial agreement will make division of everything easy if the marriage fails eventually.

In about nine U.S. states (Wisconsin, Washington, Texas, New Mexico, Nevada, Louisiana, Idaho, California and Arizona: Puerto Rico and Alaska, despite not being community property states, allow couples to opt for this system of distribution), equal distribution of everything, also known as the community property system of distribution, is observed.

In community property states, spouses equally own all income and assets earned or acquired during the marriage, even if only one of them was employed. Properties acquired using “community” money is also equally owned by both spouses. This equal ownership or distribution applies to debts too which can include home mortgage, car loan balance and/or unpaid balance on credit cards.

Exempted from being distributed in the states mentioned include: properties given as gifts or inheritance to one spouse at the time of marriage; properties that one spouse purchased using money that he/she acquired before marriage; profits resulting from non-marital properties; and, stipulated personal properties in a pre-marital agreement.

The equitable distribution system is observed in all other U.S. states. In the equitable distribution system, properties are divided, not equally, but equitably between the spouses. This fair and reasonable distribution takes into consideration many factors, like: the earning potential and capability, as well as the income of each spouse; emotional and physical condition and age of each spouse; tax consequences of the properties, assets and debts of each spouse; income and/or properties that each spouse contributed into the marriage; length of marriage; and, the value of one spouse staying at home or raising the children. Though there are no fixed rules in determining who receives what or how much, this system usually awards to the spouse who acquired or earned a specific property.

As explained by Fort Worth divorce attorneys, “Any property that was acquired during the course of your marriage—including your home, cars, income, spouse’s income, stocks, retirement plans, and anything else with monetary value—is considered to be what is known as community property. Any asset that falls under this category will need to be fairly divided between you and your partner. While you will have more control over this process if it is voluntary, it may be necessary to argue your case in court. With regard to debts, or shared debts, these may be subtracted from the community assets to calculate your net community estate, which may be used as a guidepost during this process of dividing the property you and your partner hold.”

There are six types of business organizations (based on federal tax purposes) that the U.S. federal government recognizes:

Sole Proprietorship, which is a business owned by a single person, is also called a consultant, independent contractor, or freelancer;

C-Corporation

S-Corporation

General Partnership, which is formed with two or more partners as business co-owners.

Limited Partnership, which is a partnership formed by two or more people. It has at least one general partner and one limited partner:

Limited Liability Company (LLC), which is a hybrid between a partnership and corporation.

Each type of organization is designed to suit every entrepreneur’s specific needs, which include his/her intended type of service, future plans for growth and, most importantly, the type of limited liability protection desired (limited liability protection is one of the major considerations when it comes to a firm’s legal concerns. It limits the owner’s/shareholder’s amount of financial liability to the amount of capital he/she has invested, saving whatever personal assets he/she has).

Each organization also has its own advantages and disadvantages, especially where profit, management and legal matters are concerned. One specific type of business organization is sole proprietorship, a type of firm that is owned and run by only one person. Sole proprietorship is the most widespread form of business entity in the United States, making up about 73% of all firms in the nation.

Advantages of sole proprietorship

Though the smallest form of business entity it can earn the highest profits and, since the business and its owner are taken as just one entity, one tax payment satisfies the federal tax law

required;
Sole proprietorship is also easy to start and much easier to manage (as there are no clashing of interests, which can happen when there are more owners);

Ensures faster and greater flexibility in making decisions;

Whenever an owner decides to end operations, all he/she has to do is close shop and settle whatever bill needs to be paid.

Disadvantages of sole proprietorship

Liability of the owner is unlimited, meaning, creditors can run after the owner’s personal assets, not just the capital he/she has invested, in payment of debts;

Since there is only one owner, the amount of capital to start a business may, thus, be limited, affecting the stock inventory and number of qualified or competent employees needed to run the business efficiently;

The owner may also have limited managerial skills, which can limit the firm’s growth, plus, the business is sure to end the moment the owner decides to sell it, quit or dies

The law firm Russo, Russo & Slania, P.C., says, “Every business has unique needs, and different business models may be more appropriate for different types of company. With the guidance of a knowledgeable and experienced business attorney, you can rest assured that the decisions you make will set your company up for future success.

Drug addiction affects not only the adults but also the youth. Substance abuse in the youth happens when a person below 18 years old knowingly controls a regulated drug or substance without a legal reason. While adults who are caught possessing an illegal drug are tried in a regular court, juveniles, on the other hand, are charged and tried in a juvenile court. The cases in these types of court are handled informally.

When a young person is arrested for drugs, they can be subjected to harsh penalties. The charges that will be filed is dependent on the type and amount of drug. To be charged with possession, the prosecution will need to prove three elements:

Knowledge

Young individuals who knowingly and without legal justification has in their possession a controlled or illegal substance can be charged with juvenile drug possession. While being caught possessing marijuana, methamphetamine, or other illegal drugs can result to drug possession charges, possession of oxycontonin is not as long as they have a prescription from their doctor.

Knowledge

To be charged with drug possession, the juvenile should knowingly possess or control the prohibited substance. The prosecutor will have to prove that you were aware that you were possessing or controlling the drug depending on the circumstance of the case. For instance, if the drug was found in your backpack, the court will assume that you had knowledge that the drug was in your possession.

Control

To be charged with possession, the prosecutor only needs to show that the juvenile had control over the area where the drug was found. If the drug was found in their lockers or rooms, the juvenile can be charged with drug possession.

When charged with drug possession, the juvenile could be subjected to any of the following penalties:

Drug Counseling. The court may order the juvenile to attend counseling sessions with hopes that the youth offender can still be rehabilitated.

Probation. When placed on probation, the juvenile offender needs to meet specific terms. For instance, they may be asked to attend school regularly, maintain or find a job, or attend drug counseling.

Diversion. Just like in probation, diversion will require the juvenile to comply with certain rules. They need not get an order from the court when attending a diversion program. Successful completion of the program could mean dismissal of the charges.

Detention. Detention could involve home confinement, placement in a foster family or guardian, juvenile home, or detention center.

Slip and fall accidents are the most common types of incidents that happen in the construction site. These types of accidents can happen even in a fair weather. The surface need not be snowy or icy for a worker to be involved in such accidents. Slip and fall is covered in premises liability claims. If you get injured while inside company premises, you may be entitled to receive compensation from it.

After an accident, you need to take the following steps to recover compensation:

1. Get medical attention

During a slip and fall accident, your medical condition or that of a co-worker is the most important. Before everything else, you should seek medical attention right away if you require it. Your medical records can provide proof of your medical bills should you seek to recover damages.

2. Report the accident

After ensuring the safety of those involved in the accident, the next step is to report the accident to the site owner or any manager. Make sure that they file and submit the report and provide your own copy of the report.

3. Stay calm

In a slip and fall accident, you should stay calm. Being angry or upset will not change the situation. Likewise, by being calm, you will be able to effectively decide on what to do after the accident.

4. Take Photos

To be successful with your case, you need to document everything that transpired during the accident. You can take pictures of the accident site and take note of the date and time of the accident.

5. Provide Information

Get in touch with the witnesses during the accident. Collect their phone numbers and addresses. Their testimony can prove valuable should your case progress.

6. Get legal help

Proving slip and fall accidents can be difficult so you need the help of an experienced attorney.

Organisms such as algae, lichens and moss can contribute a lot to roof degradation. These substances eat the roof and the longer they are left untreated, the more prone your roof is to damage. Roof cleaning can help get rid of substances from taking over your roof. Fortunately, there is a wide range of companies that can help clean your roof from stains.

There are three different methods that is commonly used for cleaning your roof and preventing substances such as algae, lichens, and moss to completely destroy your roof and landscape. Ware Landscaping can help you fix all your landscaping problems and below are some methods to use when dealing with roofing problems.

Eco-Friendly

The eco-friendly cleaning method uses products that do not contain toxic chemicals such as chlorine bleach, phosphates, and other chemicals that can damage waterways. It also uses low-pressure rinsing system as well as scrubbing or brushing.

While this method is more expensive, it usually delivers instant and complete results as the organisms are entirely gone before the contractor completes their job.

Chlorine-Bleach

Other roofing contractors use sodium hypochlorite (chlorine bleach) mix in high concentrations combined with other chemicals such as trisodium phosphate or TSP. The mixture is sprayed on the roof and then dried and re-applied several times when needed.

This method is less expensive than other methods as it uses inexpensive chemicals. However, the mixture can be harmful to humans as well as pets as a result of exposure to fumes or fluids. It can also cause permanent damage to plants, trees, grass, and shrubs.

High-Pressure Power Washing

Some companies also use high pressure power washing methods to rid your roof of stains. There are many drawbacks of this method. First of all, it can damage shingle roofs and is also not effective in removing organisms that causes roof stains. More often than not, the algae will return quickly.

Consult a roofing contractor in order to determine the best roof cleaning method that is right for your home.

Distracted driving, driving under the influence, and driving above the speed limit, among many others, are all considered driver error, the cause of more than 90% of motor vehicle accidents in the US (and around the world). Annually, motor vehicle accidents reach about five million; more than two million of these accidents result to injuries, while more than 30,000 are fatal.

Since the early 19th century, car crashes has already become a frightening risk of driving. Though rates for injury and death vary from one state to another, one common thing remains constant: the rates are high in all states (some are just higher than others).

The state of Mississippi, which registers 1,000 fatal car crashes every year, appears to be number one in the top 10 most dangerous states to drive in. Studies show that car crashes, in any part of the US, is always higher during major holiday weekends, such as Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Christmas and New Year’s Eve. It is during these days when drunk driving is at its peak, with so many drivers even driving at high speed despite being intoxicated. Due to this, large cities in the state of Texas, namely, Dallas, Houston, and Austin, saw it fit to mandate the “no refusal weekends,” during which law enforcement officers are authorized to pull over anyone suspected of drunk driving and conduct a blood test to determine a driver’s blood alcohol content level. This mandate is aimed at reducing crashes due to drunk driving.

Impairment is the main reason why drunk driving has been declared illegal. When less sober due to alcohol intoxication, reflexes become slower and the ability to focus on the road, as well as perception, judgment, coordination and reaction time, are affected.

All across the US, the set limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level is 0.08% (this is about four regular bottles of beer consumed within an hour. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD), it will take about an hour for an average person to metabolize one standard drink, such as a 12 ounce bottle of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirit – all have the same amount of alcohol). This means that a driver who is pulled over and registers a 0.08% (or higher) BAC level can be charged with alcohol-impaired driving or driving under the influence (DUI), which is a major traffic violation.

As made clear by a Dallas car accident attorney at the Benton Law Firm, any driver, whose action or non-action causes a car accident, especially one that results to injuries or death, he or she will be held lawfully liable, with the obligation of compensating his or her victims for whatever damages and losses they have been, and will be, made to suffer.

Travel by vehicle has become so commonplace these days that once you get in one, you don’t really think that anything bad can happen to you. Seatbelt on, radio softly playing music from the station of your choice, mirrors in check – you never plan for the worst kind of unexpected to happen until it does. So maybe to satisfy your curiosity, you ask: how dangerous can car accidents be?

Ask any car accident lawyer and the simple fact remains: car accidents are as commonplace as cars themselves. Literally hundreds happen on highways all over the United States (and all over the world) every single day. Sometimes, it can be as harmless as an accidental bump on a car door or even just a scratch on the paint job. Annoying, sure, but relatively harmless compared to situations involving the causes for more serious car accidents like drunk driving, speeding, or even automobile defects.

There are so many kinds of car accidents that it is difficult to think of them as just the generalized debris of crushed metal everywhere. There are some cases wherein you need not even be inside a car in order to fall victim to a car accident – and sadly enough, these are cases that are more than familiar with fatality counts. Because, as any car accident lawyer would be aware, as much as some people come out of these things bruised and broken in more ways than one, there are some unlucky few who don’t make it out at all.

Car accidents can be very dangerous situations to be in, considering all the different factors that could contribute into one happening. It is then also quite complicated to file for legal action and compensation against the guilty party, should this situation ever happen to you.